Description

Irish mixed martial arts coach; founder of SBG Ireland and the first Irish BJJ black belt.

Teachers (1)

• 
  Matt Thornton

  swordsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Kavanagh's own statement; Thornton's academy names him among Thornton's black belts

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Kavanagh's own statement; Thornton's academy names him among Thornton's black belts

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “I was VERY lucky to meet Matt Thornton at a strip club in SA at a pivotal point in my life…which led me to where i am.”

  — BJJEE. (2020-01-19). Meet John Kavanagh, Pioneer Of BJJ in Ireland & Conor McGregor’s Coach. BJJ Eastern Europe (BJJEE) link history info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “As a coach he has awarded fifteen of his own Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts. That list includes famed UFC coach and the father of MMA in Ireland, John Kavanagh.”

  — (2019-01-26). About Matt Thorntonlink history info

Lineage

• Brazilian jiu-jitsuMatt Thornton ← Chris Haueter ← Rigan Machado ← Carlos Gracie Jr. ← Rolls Gracie ← Carlson Gracie ← Carlos Gracie · 7 generations

Ranks (1)

• swordsBrazilian jiu-jitsu

  receipt_longBlack belt Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Kavanagh's own statement; SBG Ireland and Thornton's academy agree

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  BJJ Ranking System (2007-03)

  granted by Matt Thornton

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Kavanagh's own statement; SBG Ireland and Thornton's academy agree

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Hi guys, I’m John Kavanagh, BJJ black belt since march 2007 from Matt Thornton (straight Blast Gym).”

  — BJJEE. (2020-01-19). Meet John Kavanagh, Pioneer Of BJJ in Ireland & Conor McGregor’s Coach. BJJ Eastern Europe (BJJEE) link history info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “became Ireland’s first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blackbelt after being promoted in 2007.”

  — (2019-09-20). SBG Ireland's Storylink history info

Students (2)

• 
  Gunnar Nelson

  swordsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Nelson's own site and Kavanagh's own words agree; Sherdog too

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  4 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Nelson's own site and Kavanagh's own words agree; Sherdog too

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Gunnar then got his BJJ brown belt under John Kavanagh (SBG Ireland) in June 2008.”

  — (2009-09-30). Gunnar a black belt under Renzo link history info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “John also teaches at MJÖLNIR in Iceland and he's Gunnar's main MMA coach.”

  — About Gunnar Nelson link history info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “It was of course a great honor to have someone like Renzo Gracie recognize his abilities and and award him his black belt.”

  — BJJEE. (2020-01-19). Meet John Kavanagh, Pioneer Of BJJ in Ireland & Conor McGregor’s Coach. BJJ Eastern Europe (BJJEE) link history info

  “The John Kavanagh protégé”

  — (2017-07-12). 5 Things You Might Not Know About Gunnar Nelson. Sherdoglink history info
• 
  Conor McGregor

  swordsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Confirmed

  Confirmed

  McGregor's own statement; BJJEE and SBG Ireland agree

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  3 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  McGregor's own statement; BJJEE and SBG Ireland agree

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Received my black belt tonight from my coach, friend, and mentor, John Kavanagh of SBG Ireland!”

  — BJJEE. (2023-09-05). Conor McGregor Promoted To BJJ Black Belt: “20 Years Of Hard Work”. BJJ Eastern Europe (BJJEE)link history info

  “McGregor was also promoted to BJJ brown belt by his instructor John Kavanagh.”

  — BJJEE. (2014-09-28). Conor McGregor Promoted To BJJ Brown Belt After KO Win Over Poirier. BJJ Eastern Europe (BJJEE)link history info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “SBG Ireland HQ is home to the world’s first UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor “The Notorious” McGregor.”

  — (2019-09-20). SBG Ireland's Storylink history info

Sources

Identifiers